It's been a tough but interesting time to be an Avs fan.  A brutal week finalized with two very popular and good young players dealt for a guy who has been somewhat slow to realize his potential as a dominant, #1 D man.  For a team that's seen it's once high powered offensive mojo go AWOL, it put a redundant nail in the season's already nailed coffin.

Thinking about the recent and likely false Dater circulated LA/COL rumor, I started to realize there could be something to the strategy.  The Avs have had good success in the draft in recent years drafting offensively gifted players (including a slew of puck moving defensemen).  But when it comes to players who are truly skilled defensive players, you could list a few forwards that could be considered potential defensive specialists, but no defensemen really stand out.

Maybe this all makes sense.  There already looks to be another star offensive player on the way in Joey Hishon.  Their track record for identifying offensively skilled players is proven.  If Stastny were on the table, even though dealing him would be a crushing blow to the current team's offense, getting back proven defensive talent might be this team's best chance building a solid defensive core. 

Once that's done, younger offensive players coming would have a better chance to succeed behind an experienced defensive corps, who would still be young enough to grow with the newly built forward corps.

We'll see what happens before the deadline passes, but it's something to think about if any more popular, young offensive players are traded...